Packers: Quarterback options on Day 2 of the 2018 NFL Draft

Lamar Jackson, Louisville

Lamar Jackson is a former Heisman Trophy winner and was an excellent college quarterback last year. I don’t think Jackson will be ready to play from Day 1, but in the right system I think he could succeed if given time to develop properly.

He would have both of those in Green Bay.

Mike McCarthy and Joe Philbin are both excellent coaches who have both proven that they can develop quarterbacks. McCarthy played a key role in the development of Rodgers, while Philbin played a key role in the development of Ryan Tannehill and was on the Colts staff this year which did a excellent job developing Jacoby Brissett into their offense.

Jackson would also be able to learn behind Rodgers for several years before becoming a starter and would benefit in the long run from this opportunity. Compared to if he landed with a team that could need a quarterback right now such as Denver.

The Packers were successful at times in utilizing Hundley’s athleticism and mobility and Jackson could bring a better version of this. Whatever NFL team picks him will immediately have one of the most athletic quarterbacks in the NFL. It will be fascinating to see some of the plays he will make with an NFL offensive line protecting him.

Jackson would also be a major threat in read-option plays. His athleticism combined with the talent of Jamaal Williams or Aaron Jones could pose nightmares for opposing defensive coordinators.

Jackson doesn’t have the greatest accuracy but he can sling the ball pretty hard and I think he would be successful in Mike McCarthy’s offense.

Jackson has a lot of doubters but many quarterbacks who are similar to him, such as Michael Vick or Tyrod Taylor, have succeeded in the NFL, and his mobility especially in the Clemson game reminded me a little of Russell Wilson.

Jackson has the potential to fall to the Packers in the middle of the second round, and may be too unique of a prospect for Brian Gutekunst to pass up.